Meat rack



June 21, 1932. w GE|GER 1,863,714

MEAT RACK Filed July 18, 1951 Patented .lune 21 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM A. GEIGER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO W. H. MINER, INCL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATIOLI OF DELAWARE MEAT RACK Application filed July 18, 1931. Serial No. 551,686.

This invention relates to improvements in meat racks. a

In the transportation of meat by refrigerator cars, it is the usual practice to provide racks from which the meat is suspended by hooks. Damage to the meat is frequently caused in transitby the meat being shaken and torn from the supporting hooks through excessive, violent vibrations'imparted to the car body b the action of the truck springs due to ina equate cushioning of the-shocks.

The main object of my invention is to overcome this difficulty by providing a shock absorbing rack, whereby the shocks transmitted to the rack are properly cushioned, thus protecting the'load suspended from the rack from damage.

Another object of the inventionis to pro vide a supporting rack including yielding cushioning means for absorbing-shocks imparted to the rack. I

A more specificobject of the invention is to provide a meat rack of the character described, located-within the car and suspended from the car structure below-the roof, -in eluding transversely spaced bars and longitudinally extending beams supported on the bars from which the usual meat hooks are suspended, wherein resilient means is employed claims hereinafter following;

to absorb the shocks transmittedfrom the bars to the beams.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and In the drawing, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a transverse, vertical sectional view through the upper por; tion of a refrigerator car,illustrating my im provements inconnection there-with. Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view, partly broken away, corresponding substantially to the line 22 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a part ele vational and part longitudinal, vertical sectional view, illustrating oneof the longitudinal beams of my improved meat rack structure as shown in Figures 1, and 2, together with one of the'transverse bars which is shown in vertical section, the beam being broken away and'the view being shown on an enlarged scale. Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View, corresponding substantially to the line 1- 1 of Figure 3. Figure 5 illustrates anotherembodiment of the invention, being a vertical sectional view through one of the transverse beams "ofthe meat rack and showing one of the longitudinal beams in eleva-. tion, the beam being broken away and the section corresponding substantially to the line 55 of Figure 6. Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view, correspondin substantially 66 to the line 66 of Figure 5. And Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5, illustrating still another embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to the embodimentof the v lnvention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, 10 indicates the side wall of a refrigerator car, said wall comprising an inner sheathlng 11 and an outer sheathing 12 and interposed insulating material 13. The car roof is indicated by 14 and is supported by the usual longitudinally extending beams 1515. Insulation .16 is provided on the inner side of the roof and is covered and protected by an lnner sheathing 17.

g The usual carlings 18 are provided for supporting the roof, and my improved meat rack is suspended therefrom. The car is also provided with the usual ceiling 19, which is secured to the bottom of the carlings 18.

My improved meat rack, as illustrated in Figures l to 4 inclusive, comprises broadly transverse bars A-A, supporting hooks B'B, longitudinally extending resilient beams C-G, and combined supporting and guide bracketsD''D.'

The bars AA, which are disposed transversely of the car and spaced lengthwise thereof, as clearly shown in Figure 2, are in the form of tubular members. These bars are suspended from the top of the car by means of the hooks B-B, which have their upper ends fixed to the carlings 18. As shown, four such hooks are provided for sup- I porting each bar A. Each hook B has the 3' shank portion provided with a hooked lower end withinwhich the bar A is seated. At the upper end, the shank of the hook member B is flattened as indicated at 20, saidfiattened portion being secured to the side of the corlot responding carling 18 by any suitable means, such as bolts or screws 21-21;

The longitudinally disposed beams CC are supported on the bars A and, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, are spaced laterally with the flanges of the channel-shaped section22 being telescoped over the flanges of the section 23. The top channelsection 22 is .resiliently supported on the section 23 by spring means 24.- As shown in Figure 3, this spring means is preferablyin the form of elongated plate members of ogee formation.

The combined supporting and guide brackets DD are in the form of castings comprising a yokelite upper loop section 25, which is adapted to receive and inclose the two'sections 22 and 23 of the cooperating beam member C. At the bottom portion, each casting I D is provided with a sleevelike portion 26,

- same is preferably spot welded thereto.

which is transverselydisposed and accommodates the corresponding section of one of the transverse bars A. In order to fix each bracket D-to the corresponding bar A, Elie S will be evident, the telescoped sections 22 and 23 of the beams C-C are guided in the upper portions of the brackets D, and relative approach of the sections of each beam 0 is limited by the lower end edges of the side flanges of the upper section 22 engaging the transversebottom wall 27 of the guide section of the corresponding guide bracket D. By thus limiting the relative movement of the two sections 22 and 23 of each beam l7 over the upper section 22 of thecorrespondlng C, toward each other, excessive compression of the spring 24 is prevented.

One of the meat supporting hooks of the rack structure is shown in Figure 1 and is 1 indicated by 28. As will be understood, a

beam C and formed so as to fit this section.

In absorbing the shocks imparted to the rack structure, the vibrations will be cushioned by the springs 24 of the beams CC;

the springs 24 yieldingly resisting relative thereby protecting the meat suspended thereapproach of the telescoped sections22 and 23 of each beam C. The shocks imparted to the rack are thus effectively cushioned so as to prevent excessive jarring of the hooks 28,

from from damage. 7

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated Figures 5 and 6, the ,meat rack structure comprises transversely disposed bars and longitudinally disposed beams, which form a grid structure similar to that involved in the embodiment of the invention described in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. However, the beams are not resilient, shock absorbing means being employed between the bars and beams to cushion'excessive vibrations. In Figures 5 and 6, one of the transverse bars is shown, the same being indicated by E. This bar is of preciselythe same form as the bar A described in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, being supported from the carlings of the refrigerator car by means of hooks similar to the hooks B. hereinbefore described. The longitudinal members on which the meat hooks are suspended are in the form of wooden beams in the form of the invention shown in Figures 5 and 6, one of these beams only being shown and being indicated by F. The beams F of the rack structure are supported by combined'supporting and guide brackets, only one of which is shown and is indicatedby G. The guide bracket G has an upper loop section 30 which accommodates the corresponding portion of the beam F, a shock absorbing spring H, and a spring fol-' lower 31. As shown,the bracket G is of twopartconstruction, being divided on a central vertical plane. At the upper end, each section of the bracket G is provided with an upstanding ea'r' 32. bracket are secured together at the upper end by a rivet 33 extending through the ears 32 32. At the bottom end, the bracket G is providedwith a tubular section 34, which is formed partly on each section of the bracket and receives the corresponding section of one of the transverse bars E of the rack structure. The sleeve section 34 is preferably spot welded to the corresponding bar E to prevent displacement of the bracket on said bar. The upper section of the loop portion 30 of the bracket G is reduced in width, as clearly shown in Figure 6, so as to fit the beam'F' and tightly clamp'the same; The lower portion of the section of the beam F disposed within the bracket is preferably recessed, as'indicated at 35, and the spring follower 31 is seated in said recess. The spring follower cooperates with the upper end of the spring H and has a central stem 36 extending into the coil of the spring, said stem forming alimit-' ing stop for restricting the compression of the spring H'by engagement with the bottom wall of the springseat of the casting G.

As will be evident, vibrations imparted to the rack through the supporting bars E will be cushioned by the springs- Hof the combined guide and supporting brackets, thereby reducing the vibrations imparted to the beams F tosuch an extent that the meat suspended from the hooks 28 willnot be torn off thehooksp I i Referring next to the embodiment of the The two sections of the invention illustrated in Figure 7, the rackis in theform of a grid-like structure similar to that described in connection with Figures and 6. The longitudinal beams of the rack structure involved in Figure 7 are similar to the beams F described in connection with Figures 5 and 6, one of such beams being shownin Figure 7 and indicated by J. The beams J are supported by transverse bars, one of which is shown in Figure 7 and indicated by K. The transverse bars are of resilient construction, each comprising channelshaped members similar to the channelshaped members composing the beams CC described in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. The bar "K, the channel-shaped top and bottom sections of which are indicated respectively by 122 and 123, is supported by a plurality of hooks M, which are of substantially the same design as the hooks B hereinbefore described. The books M have so as to accommodate the rectangular crosssectional shape of the corresponding bar I. The lower section 123 of the bar K is provided with longitudinally extending, horizontally disposed bottom flanges 1411 .41 adapted to act as limiting stops for the side flanges of the top channel section'122. A plate spring 124 composed of a plurallty of sections, similar to the spring 24 hereinbefore described, is interposed between the sections 122 and 123 of each bar and yieldingly resists approach of these sections. The beam J is preferably notched on the under side, as mdicated at 142, to accommodate the upper portion of the section 122 of the bar K. In order to prevent displacement of the beam J on the bar K, an angle bracket 143 is provided, the flanges of which are respectlvely secured to the beam J and the upper section 122 of thebar K.

Shocks imparted to the rack structure il lustrated in Figure 7 will be absorbed by the 2 springs 124, which yieldingly resist relative illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced bars supported on the car structure; of spaced beams supported on said bars and arranged transversely of the same; meat hooks suspended from said beams; and yielding cushioning means forming a part of said rack structure for absorbing shocks imparted thereto.

2. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced bar members supported on the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beam members supported on said bar members, certain of said members being resilient to absorb shocks transmitted to said rack structure.

3. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with connected bars forming a gridlike rack structure for suspendingmeat supporting hooks; of shock absorbing means forming the connection between said bars.

4. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arranged transversely of said bars and supported thereby, said beams being resilient to absorb shocks.

5. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arranged transversely of said bars andsupported thereby, said beams being yieldingly compressible to absorb shocks.

6. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arranged transversely of said bars and supported thereby, each of said beams being of two-part construction and having shock absorbing means interposed between said parts.

7. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars; the combination with spaced barsv suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arranged transversely of,

said bars and supported thereby, each of said beams comprising top and bottom sections; and yielding means interposed between said sections.

8. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars,

the combination with spaced bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arranged transversely of said bars and supported thereby, each of said beams being divided lengthwise into top and bottom telescoped sections; and yielding means interposed between said sections.

9. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars,

the combination with spaced bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arranged transversely of said bars and supported thereby, each of said beamscomprising top and bottom channelshaped sections telescoped with respect to each other; and plate spring means interposed between said sections and yieldingly supporting said top section on said bottom section.

10. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arranged transversely of said bars and supported thereby, veach of said beams comprising top and bottom channel-shaped sections telescoped with respect to each other; plate spring means interposed between said sections and yieldingly supporting said top section on said bottom section; and supporting brackets fixed to said bars, said brackets having guide means embracing said beams, r

11. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supportingbeams arranged transversely of said bars and supported thereby, said bars being yieldingly compressible to absorb shocks.

12. In a meat rack for refrigeratorcars, the combination'with spaced bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arrangedtransversely of said bars and supported thereby, each of said bars being of two-part construction and having shock absorbing means interposed be tween said parts.

13. In a meat rack for refrigerator .cars,

the combination with spaced bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arranged transversely of said bars and supported thereby, each of said bars comprising top and bottom sections; and yieldingmeans interposed between said sections. I 1 14. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced: bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arranged transversely of said bars and supported thereby, each of said bars being divided lengthwise into top and bottom telescoped sections; and yielding means interpose between said sections.

. 15. In a meat rackfor refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arranged transversely of said bars and supported thereby, each of said bars comprising top and bottom chan-v nel-shaped sections telescoped with respect to each other; and plate spring means interposed between said top and bottom sections.

16. In a meat rack forrefrigerator cars, the

combination with spaced bars supported on on the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting means disposed transversely of said bars; means for yieldingly supporting.

said beams on said bars, comprising a plu rality of brackets fixed to each bar, each of said brackets having a guide section embracing a portion of one of said beams 5' and shock absorbing means carried by each bracket and interposed between the beam and bar.

18, In a meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced bars "supported on the car structure;'of spaced meat hook supporting beams disposed transversely of said bars; means for yieldingly supporting said beams on saidbars, comprising a plurality of brackets fixed to each bar, each of said brackets having a guide section embracing a portion of one of said beams; andshock absorbing springmeans carried by said brackets for yieldingly supporting said beams on said bars;

19. Ina meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced bars suspended from the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams arranged transversely of said bars and supported thereby, each of said bars being divided lengthwise into top and bottom telescoped sections; and yielding means interposed between said sections, said telescoped sections having shouldered engagement with each other torestrict relative approach of the same and limit the 'compression of said yielding means.

20. In a meat rack for refrigerator cars, the combination with spaced bars supported on the car structure; of spaced meat hook supporting beams disposed transversely of said bars; means'for yieldingly supporting said beams on said bars, comprising a'plural-' 

